IATSE

Even without the bodyguards or entourage, there is no mistaking Donald Trump crossing the picket line of "The Apprentice" in this much circulated photo from a 2004 IATSE protest. Members of the Guild were asking for fair wages and better working conditions.

A group of 30 film crew members have shut down a film about the U.S. Constitution being produced by Tea Party activist Norm Novitsky. The Georgia crew stated that they should not have been classified as “independent contractors,” that they were not paid minimum wage and did not receive overtime pay; and that union reps were subjected to threats and acts of intimidation during their efforts to organize the workers.

While most people associate film with Southern California, the movie industry is not exclusive to Los Angeles. In fact several well known films were shot in Philadelphia. Labor 411 has compiled a list of a few of these union-made films. Though not all of these films were shot in their entirety in Philly, the famous landmarks, eateries and museums make for great big city backdrops in the movies.

As the stars prepare to shine on the red carpet, let’s also honor the hard-working labor women and men that make the movie industry run. Hollywood is the 3rd largest industry in all of Los Angeles County, touching nearly every major film release you’ll come across. Unions will be responsible for running the Academy Awards as well as the network it airs on.

This week’s union film recommendation is the Oscar-nominated“Mad Max: Fury Road,” directed by George Miller. “Fury Road” is up for a whopping 10 Oscar nominations this year, including Best Picture, which makes it the second-most nominated film behind “The Revenant.” The incredible stunts and action scenes in the film – which look AMAZING even without CGI – were also union made.

This weekend’s inaugural union film recommendation is The Revenant, directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu of Birdman fame. The film, based on true events, follows a group of trappers and hunters in the unsettled wilderness of the Louisiana Purchase, and it was backed by an awesome union crew.